Gulf Islands National Park Reserve

Gulf Islands National Park Reserve
IUCN category II (national park)
Location of Gulf Islands National Park Reserve
Location	British Columbia, Canada
Nearest city	Sidney
Coordinates	48°51′2″N 123°26′52″W / 48.85056°N 123.44778°W / 48.85056; -123.44778Coordinates: 48°51′2″N 123°26′52″W / 48.85056°N 123.44778°W / 48.85056; -123.44778
Area	36 km2 (14 sq mi)
Established	May 9, 2003
Governing body	Parks Canada

Gulf Islands National Park Reserve is the sixth of eight National Park Reserves in a system of 46 parks and park reserves across Canada. Located in British Columbia's Gulf Islands, it covers 36 square kilometres (14 sq mi) over 15 islands. It also includes numerous islets and reef areas.

Camping:Gulf Islands National Park Reserve offers 5 kayak-in (or boat-in), backcountry campsites on Cabbage Island. There is no potable water available on Cabbage Island and no campfires are allowed, regardless of season.

Camping:Gulf Islands National Park Reserve offers 7 kayak-in (or boat-in) backcountry campsites on D'Arcy Island. There is no potable water available on D'Arcy, and no campfires are permitted, regardless of season.

Camping:Gulf Islands National Park Reserve offers 3 kayak-in (or boat-in) backcountry campsites on Isle-de-Lis(Rum Island). There is no potable water available, and there are no campfires allowed, regardless of season. Neighboring Gooch Island is private property; do not trespass.

Hiking: There is an easy 1.5 km loop trail at Bennett Bay that leads to Campbell Point. Campbell Point features remnant old-growth forest and views of Georgeson Island. Bennett Bay has a sandy beach which is suitable for sunbathing and swimming [4]. Georgina Point is the location of a historic lighthouse. Built in 1885, the Georgina Point lighthouse marks the entrance to Active Pass. Orca whales, harbour seals and seabirds can all be seen at Georgina Point

Camping:Gulf Islands National Park Reserve offers 49 drive-in, frontcountry campsites at McDonald Campground, which is located near the quaint town of Sidney-by-the-Sea. McDonald Campground's proximity to the Swartz Bay ferry terminal [4] makes it an excellent base of operations for exploring the Southern Gulf Islands. Municipal bus service into Sidney, Victoria, or to the Swartz Bay ferry terminal is also available from McDonald Campground. McDonald Campground offers amenities like potable water, pit toilets, picnic tables and fire pits (seasonally available).

Camping:Gulf Islands National Park Reserve has three options for campers on Pender: the drive-in, frontcountry sites at Prior Centennial Campground or the walk-in (or boat-in) backcountry sites at Shingle Bay and Beaumont. Prior Centennial has 17 reservable sites and amenities include potable water, pit toilets, picnic tables and fire pits(seasonally available). Shingle Bay has 10 reservable sites and amenities include pit toilets and picnic tables. Beaumont has 11 sites, and amenities include pit toilets, picnic tables, and 15 mooring buoys for boaters. There is no potable water at Beaumont or Shingle Bay and no campfires are permitted at either location, regardless of season. Hiking:A difficult 1.5 km trail at Beaumont leads from the Ainslie Point parking lot to the shoreline via steep switchbacks that cut through dense temperate rainforest. The difficult 1.5 km trail at Mt. Norman ascends 244 metres to a panoramic look-out with views of the San Juan Islands. The moderate 1.5 km trail at Roe Lake meanders through the Shingle Bay uplands to one of the Southern Gulf Island's only freshwater lakes.